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“Why didn’t you tell me??”

“Because I can keep my cool And you clearly can’t”

“But he called you oes soft again “I mean, you are my boyfriend, but he said it in a way that, like … meant somethin’ else”

“I knoas there” I’ at him “You could have kept your cool anyway”

“Look, I’m sorry I’m really, really sorry I feel awful This is all ht?” Ji everything”

“And I was serious earlier”

“What?”

I finally turn my eyes onto him “You should do your dance at the Ball with Camille as your partner Not me”

His whole face collapses “Bobs, no”

“It just makes better sense”

“And I told you I’onna do that We’ve been rehearsin’ so hard, and for weeks! You deserve to be up there with me!”

“Jimmy, you left a sport to pursue dance I was a soccer player since the start Hell, small town obsessions with sports is half the reason we need fundraising for the arts I belong on a soccer field, not a dance floor It makes total sense that you do the dance with Camille, not with me”

“This isn’t about the dance anymore, is it?” The wounded look in Jimmy’s eyes is almost too much to bear “You’re just afraid to be thrown into the spotlight again with me Just like Proht after I asked you in front of the soccer teary at oin’ with me at all!”

“Jimmy, that isn’t the same”

“It is! It’s exactly the same! You’re just afraid, Bobby Parker”

“I just lostjob I was countin’ on this money to help ot?” I spread my hands, empty “Nothin’ but a bloody fuckin’ nose, that’s what”

“Bobs …”

My ma’s car pulls up in front of us

I rise up off the curb With Jiht into the passenger seat ofoff Jimmy’s protests

My o wide “Sweetheart, your nose!”

“Just drive,” I beg her